Pewter Still Shines

IF THE SIGHT of a 70s era Selangor Pewter tankard makes you cringe at the kitschiness of corporate gifts way back when, spare a thought for the history lesson behind the company that made it.

Renamed Royal Selangor in 1992, it started business in Singapore in 1968 under Yong Poh Shin, whose grandfather arrived in Kuala Lumpur from China in 1885 and worked as a tinsmith.

Now its chairman, Mr Yong joined the company immediately after finishing school, starting at the bottom as an apprentice pewter maker.